Internet Access

Lenovo Group Ltd and Research In Motion Ltd., have created an accessory card that will download e-mail through the owner’s BlackBerry, even when the computer is off or asleep. This from Salon:

That means that when the ThinkPad boots up, new e-mail will already be loaded. There’s no need to establish a secure Internet connection to the employer’s servers. The user will also be able to send e-mail from the ThinkPad through the BlackBerry without an additional Internet connection.

The “Lenovo Constant Connect” card will let users combine the always-on nature of the BlackBerry with the larger keyboard and screen of the laptop, said Rick Cheston, executive director at Lenovo. For instance, a traveler could flip open the laptop to do some quick e-mailing at an airport layover, rather than spending time to set up Internet access, he said.

The new card will cost will cost $150 or less.